Op-Ed: Moms want Ellen Degeneres fired for being gay

Talk show icon Ellen Degeneres -having just announced her partnership with clothing giant JC Penney- has come under fire from 'onemillionmoms.com', who want her fired just for being gay.

Daily Mail reports that the 'One Million Moms' group - a project of the American Family Association - are urging its supporters, as well as others, to petition against Ellen being named the new spokesmodel for the chain store and demand that she be replaced by somebody who is not openly gay.

Reuters also reports that the 'family values' group had this to say in response to the announcement from the Texas-based department store;

"Funny that JC Penney thinks hiring an open homosexual spokesperson will help their business when most of their customers are traditional families," they said on their website. "DeGeneres is not a true representation of the type of families that shop at their store. The majority of JC Penney shoppers will be offended and choose to no longer shop there."

With this campaign, One Million Moms, which claims to be "the most powerful tool you have to stand against the immorality, violence, vulgarity and profanity the entertainment media is throwing at your children," is going after one of the country's most likeable and popular television personalities.

The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Discrimination have stated:

"A vast majority of Americans today support Ellen as well as their LGBT friends and family members,” Herndon Graddick, a GLAAD spokesman said in a written statement. “Selecting an out performer who has inspired and entertained millions, is not only a smart business practice, but a reflection of how LGBT Americans today are an integral and valued part of the fabric of our culture.”

However, it looks like Ellen will remain the spokesperson for the store for the foreseeable future, with JC Penney seeing sense by sticking by her;

The company's CEO Ron Johnson, said:

"I think Ellen is someone we all trust. She's lovable, likable, honest and funny, but at her soul, we trust her".

It is good see that the clothes store is sticking by Degeneres, as the claims made by 'One Million Moms' are totally ridiculous. This just goes to show that even though this is 2012 and that we are firmly in to the 21st Century it would be silly to think that society have moved on from such backward and anti-gay beliefs.

One Facebook comment on JC Penney's page seemed to have the right message:

"Being gay is only a part of who she is. Her comedy is not mean but it can still bring you to tears with laughter.

'She is generous with her blessings and is modest in her dress and behavior. She does not hide who she truly is. If these are traits to be judged poorly by, then I am done."

This opinion article was written by an independent writer. The opinions and views expressed herein are those of the author and are not necessarily intended to reflect those of DigitalJournal.com